The Federal Government has announced $8 million in funding under the NRM Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Grants Program, aimed at fostering research projects between institutions and region Natural resource Management (NRM) organisations.

 

“Understanding the impacts of a changing climate at a regional level is important to guide sustainable land management,” Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus said.

 

“Changes in temperature, rainfall and extreme weather events will affect water availability, water and soil quality, fire risk and the incidence of pests, weeds and disease.”

 

The $8 million will be sourced from carbon price revenue, and will be provided over four years to ensure NRM organisations are informed on climate change, its impacts and potential responses.

 

“This program will improve the capacity of regional organisations to plan for climate change and capitalise on the opportunities provided by the Government's Carbon Farming Initiative and the Biodiversity Fund,” Mr Dreyfus said.

 

The Impacts and Adaptation Grants Program is part of Stream 2 of the Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund - part of the Government's Clean Energy Future package.